Aim: To study the clinical and functional features of peripheral vessels and the systemic mechanisms of their remodeling in arterial hypertension (AH) only and concurrent with vibration disease (VD) and to treat patients.
Subjects and methods: The investigation included 184 males: 75 patients with AH (Group 1), 72 with AH concurrent with VD (Group 2), and 37 healthy individuals. To evaluate the functional status of the endothelium and peripheral vessels, the authors measured the blood levels of nitric oxide, endothelin-1, proinflammatory cytokines, homocysteine, and von Willebrand factor. Doppler ultrasonography of the brachial and radial arteries was performed. Telmisartan was used for therapy.
Results: Both group patients were found to have significant endothelial dysfunction (severer in VD) and the signs of brachial artery remodeling, also severer in VD. Six-month telmisartan therapy favored blood pressure normalization, reduced clinical symptoms, improved endothelial function and peripheral artery functional status.
Conclusion: Successful antihypertensive therapy with the angiotensin II receptor type 1 blocker makes it possible to achieve a clinical effect in both AH only and AH concurrent with VD.